Postdoctoral position in mathematical modelling of SARS-CoV-2 serological data

The Malaria: Parasites and Hosts Unit at Institut Pasteur utilises tools from molecular biology, serology and statistical and mathematical modelling to investigate the epidemiology of malaria and other infectious diseases. Building on our Unit’s long-standing expertise in serological surveillance, our inter-disciplinary team have developed a highly sensitive and highly specific serological assay to detect previous infection with SARS-CoV-2. This approach utilises multiplex serological assays, and has two notable advantages:

• By measuring antibodies to multiple SARS-CoV-2 antigens, we can obtain higher sensitivity and specificity than single antigen diagnostic tests.
• This technology will allow integrated serological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 with other pathogens such as malaria and neglected tropical diseases.

We are seeking a candidate for a post-doctoral position with expertise in statistics, data analytics, or mathematical modelling of infectious diseases to work on the following projects:

• Develop algorithms for classifying previous SARS-CoV-2 infection given measurements of multiple antibody responses.
• Analyse data from serological surveys in France, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon.
• Develop mathematical models of antibody kinetics to assess the duration of immunity and how the sensitivity of diagnostics tests will change over time.

The successful candidate will be given a one-year contract for this project focused on SARS-CoV-2 serological surveillance. Importantly, there is a pathway to develop your interests beyond coronavirus. At the end of the first year, should both parties agree, there will be another position on a European Research Council project: “Algorithms and multiplex assays for integrated serological surveillance of malaria and neglected tropical diseases”. This second project will build on the advances currently being made in the laboratory to develop serological surveillance strategies for other infectious diseases such as trachoma, schistosomiasis, Zika, and dengue.
Interested candidates should contact Dr Michael White (michael.white@pasteur.fr) with a statement of interest and a CV including contact details of two academic referees.

Person specification:
• Research experience of working with mathematical and/or statistical models.
• A strong interest in infectious disease epidemiology.
• Programming experience in C, C++ or Java.
• Knowledge of a statistical programming language (preferably R).
• Ability to collate and analyse data, interpret and present results to a high standard using a range of specialised research techniques.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. The working language of the laboratory is English.
• Experience in communicating research findings to a non-specialist audience.
• PhD in one of the following areas: infectious disease epidemiology, statistics, population biology, mathematics, physics, computer science or a similarly quantitative discipline.